Data Centers Are Shifting to Automation Services This Year — Should Yours?
Since almost every industry relies on data, it’s more important than ever for data centers to manage it all properly. With the pandemic shifting businesses to remote work, digital connections are at an all-time high. This constant usage highlights the weakness of data centers, whether it’s latency or security pitfalls. In 2021, the solution is data automation.
The Shift to Automation
The COVID-19 pandemic began in the United States in 2020 and is still an ongoing crisis. In addition to the major public health concerns it brings, the pandemic has forced many businesses into a remote work dynamic. Some organizations can afford this transition, but others require additional resources to make sure all their data can translate into a new, distanced setup.
Through this shift, data center analysts must adapt to the needs of their organization as well as all the companies for which they handle data.
On top of existing transitional pressure, four big tech companies — Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook, and Google — spent a whopping $37 billion on data center expansion in the third quarter of 2020. These investments then influence the industry. As the leaders of tech rely on data centers more and more, the rest of the industry follows suit. Thus, there is now an incredible pressure for data centers to be as efficient as possible, processing data for companies of all backgrounds.
Data automation is the solution. With artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), data center professionals can improve digital and physical security, storage, and backup processes. When these dynamics happen automatically, the systems remove stress from workers and cut down significantly on time. The entire data center then becomes more reliable and resilient.
Businesses in Need
Amid the global health crisis, a new digital landscape has emerged. Cybercriminal activity has increased because people are constantly turning to technology for information, connections, and resources.
For example, “island hopping,” where cybercriminals try to infiltrate the digital transformation of a company, increased by about 33% during the pandemic. When a company seeks to transition to work from home or increase its reliance on technology is when these cybercriminals see the most opportunities. If the business data doesn’t have the right management, island hopping cybercriminals are even more of a risk.
This instance is one of many where vulnerable businesses require data automation. Since automation adds layers of protection and constant monitoring, the data will be safe in any instance of cybercriminal activity.
Automation frees up computation time, speeds up connectivity, reduces latency, and increases security. Each of these benefits financially aids businesses of all kinds, protecting against costly breaches and improving overall performance.
For instance, automated security systems can continuously scan for threats, address them, and alert the proper authorities. Additionally, during theft or blackouts, automated software automatically backs up the data to ensure the facility loses nothing.
Routine updates and software patches become instant, too. Automated systems report all the insights about data storage, which let you know what requires employee-mandated changes.
On an administrative level, an automated system can schedule changes and transfers, provide updates, and move information between cloud networks. This dynamic helps data centers adhere to the strictest compliance requirements, keeping all client information safe and private.
With these automated systems in place, remote access becomes immediate, safe, and reliable.
Changes for an Optimal Future
Data automation can happen on smaller scales or can be a complete infrastructure overhaul. Regardless of what a data center can handle, though, the future has become clear: Automation provides solutions to the pitfalls the pandemic exposed. With new tech incoming, like edge computing and 5G, 2021 is the ideal year to make automated changes.
An application programming interface (API) will be the best place to start. An automated API should have optimal transparency, ease of configuration and programmability, and a well-rounded approach. Error diagnostics and prevention are also essential aspects of an API. Then, the incoming and outgoing data will have this interface on the frontlines at all times.
As you progress with these improvements, you should be ready to adapt and understand the ever-changing needs of data storage and processing. The automation sector will increase by over 15% in the next five years. Just as the pandemic changed everything, the future will no doubt require similar innovation.
Automation Is Here to Stay
Considering the projected growth for automation and the heavy reliance on data centers, the path forward for data management must include widespread integration of automated systems. Doing so will bring about countless security, efficiency, and financial benefits for businesses and data centers alike. With scalability, constant mon and simplified processes, automation is a critical step forward for data centers — one that will change the industry for years to come.
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